Digitization is transforming the way businesses work and communicate with customers. Having a corporate advisor to map out the right digital strategy is imperative to adapt to the new market reality.
Driven by the mission to create a Digital Corporate AdvisorTM for the small and medium-sized enterprises to steer them through the complexities of business management, Roland Staehli led the foundation of WebAccountPlus.
Roland Staehli is a consummate entrepreneur. With over 30 years of experience in Banking and Management and a degree in computer science and project management, Roland specializes in business process optimisation and engineering. His profound expertise and strong business acumen helps him to navigate intricate business operations with an even overview. His unique abilities. merge with his visionary leadership, empowering businesses to thrive in unprecedented ways.
The CEO Views is pleased to recognize Roland Staehli, CEO of WebAccountPlus on the cover of the issue ‘Best CEO to Watch 2023. We interacted with him to gain a better insight into his business story.
The CEO Views: Where did the concept for your business originate? What was your mission at the outset?
Roland Staehli: The concept for our business originated from a deep understanding of the challenges faced by small and medium–sized enterprises (SMEs) in managing their operations efficiently. Our mission from the outset was to provide comprehensive digital support to SMEs, allowing them to emancipate themselves from tedious administration and focus on their core business activities. We wanted to create a Digital Corporate AdvisorTM that could guide SMEs without the need for extensive business management knowledge.
The CEO Views: Can you take us through the journey of the company right from its beginning to the point where it unwaveringly stands today? What milestones have you achieved along the journey?
Roland Staehli: Our journey began with years of research and preparation. We spent seven years, without external investment, meticulously developing our solution. This allowed us to create a product that met our vision without time pressure. We have successfully entered the pilot phase in Switzerland, and our Digital Corporate Advisor is set to go into production. We’ve also participated in important Fintech events and have received significant interest. Our future plans involve foreign expansion and the release of Version 3.0, which will include a generic mediation platform.
The CEO Views: Can you please explicate in brief the comprehensive range of services that the company offers?
Roland Staehli: We offer a wide range of services worldwide. We provide complete digitalization for SMEs on a cloud platform, covering various aspects such as physical mail, accounting services, expense and invoice management, bank reconciliation, automated accounting, CRM, analytics, and more. On the other hand, we offer strategic consulting for micro and small businesses, including automated monitoring and reporting in case of non-achievement of predefined targets. We also assist in business banking by providing fully digitized and automated corporate consulting for banks, including lead generation and credit monitoring. Adding to that, Webaccountplus offers a comprehensive ecosystem for companies of all sizes and in all countries.
Our company approach has evolved by continuously integrating partner tools into our ecosystem to enhance the customer experience.
The CEO Views: How has the company approach evolved over the last few years? What strategies do you employ as a leader to stay competitive and relevant in the industry?
Roland Staehli: Our company approach has evolved by continuously integrating partner tools into our ecosystem to enhance the customer experience. We are also establishing local subsidiaries worldwide through joint ventures and seeking closer cooperation with local banks, insurance companies, and management consultants. This allows us to offer a broader range of services and stay competitive.
The CEO Views: To what do you attribute your success?
Roland Staehli: Our success can be attributed to several factors. First, our commitment to providing comprehensive digital support to SMEs has resonated with businesses worldwide. Second, our focus on sustainability and creating a global digital corporate ecosystem sets us apart in the industry. Lastly, our dedicated team, including experienced professionals and advisors, plays a crucial role in our success.
The CEO Views: What major trends or developments are you observing in the sector? How does your company make use of these technological trends to deliver the best outcome?
Roland Staehli: One major trend in the sector is the increasing demand for complete digitalization and automation of business processes. We are at the forefront of this trend, offering an all–in–one solution that covers various aspects of business management. We use advanced technologies such as Al and cloud computing to provide real–time data analysis and decision support to our clients.
The CEO Views: Currently innovation is more of a need. Being an innovator yourself, how do you drive innovation?
Roland Staehli: Innovation is at the core of our company’s philosophy. We continually invest in research and development to enhance our platform and services. We also collaborate with strong and network partners to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. Our commitment to innovation allows us to offer cutting–edge solutions to our clients.
The CEO Views: Kindly take us through the working culture at your company. What does it take to build a great team?
Roland Staehli: Our company foster’s a culture of collaboration, open communication and respect. We value each team member’s unique skills and strengths and work together to achieve our goals. Building a great team not only requires not only requires hiring talented individuals but also nurturing a sense of belonging and purpose among team members.
The CEO Views: What are the pain points in the industry? How is your team specially equipped to solve those problems?
Roland Staehli: One of the pain points in the industry is the lack of comprehensive digital solutions for SMEs. Many businesses struggle with manual processes and a lack of real–time data analysis. Our team is specially equipped to address these challenges by providing a complete digitalization platform that automates various aspects of business management. Our Digital Corporate AdvisorTM offers proactive support and guidance, allowing SMEs to make informed decisions.
Roland Staehli: We envision a future where SMEs worldwide can benefit from comprehensive digital support and access to global markets. We want to continue to expand our ecosystem, collaborate with partners worldwide, and empower SMEs to thrive in the digital age. We aim to be the go–to platform for SMEs looking for complete digital solutions and strategic consulting.
The CEO Views: What are your thoughts and advice for budding entrepreneurs and emerging business. leaders?
Roland Staehli: I will advice budding entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders to be humble, value your team’s skills, and respect your competitors. Learn from others, be honest, and prioritize sustainability. Perseverance and belief in your cause are essential, as setbacks are part of the journey. Lastly, don’t forget to balance your professional life with personal relationships and time management. Building a successful business takes time, effort, and a strong sense of purpose.
